Help with "what now?" after assembling MK3S+ with MMU
So, I purchased this used MK3S+ with MMU, and it was sent to me mostly disassembled, so it won't break during transport. I finally got it all cleaned and reassembled, and I'm guessing it's time for power on and calibration. However, here is where I'm confused:
Can I do an initial calibration and start printing WITHOUT having the MMU installed? I am concerned that MMU may add an extra layer of complications and I want to make sure the printer works and prints as it should. I'm asking this because I'm not sure how the filament sensor on the extruder communicates with MMU, and whether the printer will work without the MMU connected.
If the answer to the above is "Yes", do I just follow this steps: https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/6-preflight-check_193162 , or do you recommend a different procedure?
If the answer is "No", and I have to connect the MMU regardless, in order for the printer to work, how do I start? What steps to I follow for the initial printer calibration?
I'm pretty much aware that for most of you, the above questions may seem trivial. And whilst I'm not new to 3D printing, I am new to Prusa, and I would like to avoid frustrations caused by improper initial setup. Thank you for your understanding.
RE: Help with "what now?" after assembling MK3S+ with MMU
Following the preflight procedure you have linked will work with the MMU disconnected. If the extruder is setup for the MMU with the chimney filament sensor, autoload won't work correctly. You have to push the filament down into the extruder gears when prompted to insert the filament. Otherwise the calibration steps are the same.
Another option is to upgrade the firmware for the printer / mmu2 to 3.13.2 / 3.01 which integrates the MMU2 into the calibration process.
Either way will work, so do what you are comfortable with and get it calibrated so you can print with it.
RE: Help with "what now?" after assembling MK3S+ with MMU
Thank you. I just updated firmware for both printer and mmu. Unfortunately now I'm having some issues with the print fan (keeps throwing errors, but i see it working). Once I'll get that one sorted I'll move on. Hopefully this is the only serious incident.
RE: Help with "what now?" after assembling MK3S+ with MMU
If you had not upgraded your Mk3s+ already with the MMU I would have recommended to first get to know the regular printer test it and see if everything is working fine. If you have however already the MMU upgrade installed, my recommendation would be to use the printer in single colour mode with the MMU. That way you can evade a lot of the stumbling stones of the MMU and make sure the printer is working fine. Which is the pre-condition for setting up the MMU and calibrate as well as trouble shoot it, if needed.
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE: Help with "what now?" after assembling MK3S+ with MMU
That's what i wanted initially. However, as I purchased it with mmu and hotend having mmu sensor chimney, from what others say, it must now have mmu installed.
I still didn't get to the point of test printing, but is good to know i can run it single-filament. I was a bit nervous about having to deal with mmu while calibrating.
RE:
Single-filament is still using the MMU, so the basic functionality of it has to be ok but it is much scaled back, you only need a single filament selection and loading (and at the print end unloading). So some of the optimisation challenges of the MMU are not an issue here at all. If you have some MMU related issue already in single mode, chances are, that one of the two, or both filament sensors are not working reliably.
My recommendation: If you have Prusament PLA or PETG, use that for your first tests. These filaments together with their respective stock settings in Prusa Slicer work best with the MMU. Once one of these works fine, you can try whatever other filament. In Single Mode filament choice is not a big deal, other than TPU and flexibles which the MMU absolutely hates. In multi-colour mode I would try to setup a selection of filament brands/types which you know that work and stick to those, test printing when you want to use new ones before any big job.
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE: Help with "what now?" after assembling MK3S+ with MMU
Thank you all! Printer is up and running. Still having some issues with MMU... hopefully I'll find a solution for them too.